International Regulators Issue Statement on International Accounting Standards Process

The European Commission, the Financial Services Agency of Japan, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) and the US Securities and Exchange Commission issued a Combined Statement proposing changes to strengthen the institutional framework of the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) Foundation and encourage the Foundation's related efforts, while emphasizing the continued importance of an independent standard-setting process.  The statement explained:

"International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are becoming more widely used throughout the world. We have a common interest of ensuring continuing user confidence in the institutions responsible for the development of global accounting standards. A natural step in the institutional development of the IASB and the IASC Foundation would be to establish a means of accountability to those governmental authorities charged with protecting investors and regulating capital markets. We will work together to achieve these objectives."